740.00119 European War 1939/2612: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Istanbul (Squires) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:56 p.m.]
289R64. Reference No. 277R60 of May 6, noon.74 Bulgarian Minister to Turkey, Balabanov, returned from Sofia May 14. He reports Bulgarian Government fully realizes necessity of making immediate contact with Allies for purpose of getting out of war at earliest possible moment. He believes his Government can do nothing in that direction at present because of German watchfulness.
Balabanov states Germany is now bringing in greatest pressure on Government to force participation of Bulgarian Army in war under German High Command.
He insists that in no case will Bulgarian Army fight Russia. He reports there is fear in Sofia causing great anxiety that Russians will break relations with Bulgaria.
Balabanov also reports that despite bombings, sentiment is not altogether unfavorable to the United States. Each bombing raid, however, increases hostility.
Attitude of Balabanov indicates he is convinced Bulgarian Government is so completely under control of Germans as to make unsuccessful any attempt to get out of war until Germans are further softened by military defeats.
Repeated to Algiers for Murphy as my No. 15, also to Cairo for MacVeagh.
- Not printed.↩